Q: I was on a no lease rental agreement to live with two roommates who were on the lease for the rental unit.
We split the down deposit and three months of rent. I decided to move out due to constant fighting between roommates in the middle of a month I had already paid rent for. I managed to get a majority of my belongings out of the unit on the day I said I was leaving and would have to go back for larger items. The two roommates decided to move my possessions outside into the front lawn to sit overnight in the rain half covered by a tarp that same night. There is water damage to several of my belongings. Is this legal and can I take the damage to small claims?
A: No. This was not the correct course of action by your former roommates. There is a very low bar to bring claims in Small Claims court. Document the evidence, get estimates for the damage and price comparisons for similar items and be prepared to defend your position.
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